November 2008 ITGS Questions Question (c), I wasn't sure of the answer so I provided markscheme answer...
3. Dr. James is one of three doctors in a UK general practice. She uses a computer during consultations with patients and has found it has been beneficial in a number of ways. This computer is part of a small client/server LAN at her practice.
(a)Identify two uses for a computer system during a consultation between Dr. James and a patient.
-The doctor can write down the symptoms of the patients quickly.
-The doctor can look up for the medicine to prescribe to the patient.
-The doctor can look for the previous data of the patient.
-The doctor can email the patients their diagnosis.
(b)Describe two threats to the integrity of the data held on the LAN at Dr. James’ general practice.
The doctors can enter the wrong data on the computer. An example is putting in a wrong drug for the patient. Wrong drug on patients can be severe and may lead to death in some cases. (Authenticity)
More than just one doctor could access the data. If many doctors access the data, the data can be changed at anytime and it is difficult to find out who have changed the data. (Reliability)
(c)Explain the relationship between client computers and a server in a client/server LAN.
A client/server LAN consists of one or more server machines on which shared files and programs reside and many client machines where people do their work.
Mark scheme answer:
the client is the workstation
the workstation sends requests to the server for services such as logins, file storage or retrieval and print resources
the client runs client-side software
client may be connected to the server with cables or wireless connection
clients access the (file) server to store and retrieve files
the server provides services to the client
the server deals with security and record keeping
the server runs server-side network software
the server may store the applications
the server stores the data used by the clients
some servers have specialist functions such as providing e-mail services.
(d)Discuss reasons why the uptake of IT systems has been greater in small general practices than in large hospitals.
Because there are more patients in large hospitals, more equipment will be needed. However, because some equipment is very expensive, such as surgery performing robots, only few are affordable. This means that not all patients can use the IT systems. If this is the case, it is better not to use the money on expensive IT systems, but on something else.
Large hospitals have more specialized doctors than general practices. Therefore, it can be more reasonable for general practices to get some help of IT systems so that the lack of workers/doctors can be fulfilled.
Large hospitals have many patients. To use IT systems, patients and doctors need training before using them. However, the number of people is too great. A thorough training may be too complex. This could be the reason why general practices are using IT systems more than large hospitals. General practices can go through training people more rapidly with small number of people.
Question (c), I wasn't sure of the answer so I provided markscheme answer...
3. Dr. James is one of three doctors in a UK general practice. She uses a computer during consultations with patients and has found it has been beneficial in a number of ways. This computer is part of a small client/server LAN at her practice.
(a)Identify two uses for a computer system during a consultation between Dr. James and a patient.
-The doctor can write down the symptoms of the patients quickly.
-The doctor can look up for the medicine to prescribe to the patient.
-The doctor can look for the previous data of the patient.
-The doctor can email the patients their diagnosis.
(b)Describe two threats to the integrity of the data held on the LAN at Dr. James’ general practice.
The doctors can enter the wrong data on the computer. An example is putting in a wrong drug for the patient. Wrong drug on patients can be severe and may lead to death in some cases. (Authenticity)
More than just one doctor could access the data. If many doctors access the data, the data can be changed at anytime and it is difficult to find out who have changed the data. (Reliability)
(c)Explain the relationship between client computers and a server in a client/server LAN.
A client/server LAN consists of one or more server machines on which shared files and programs reside and many client machines where people do their work.
Mark scheme answer:
the client is the workstation
the workstation sends requests to the server for services such as logins, file storage or retrieval and print resources
the client runs client-side software
client may be connected to the server with cables or wireless connection
clients access the (file) server to store and retrieve files
the server provides services to the client
the server deals with security and record keeping
the server runs server-side network software
the server may store the applications
the server stores the data used by the clients
some servers have specialist functions such as providing e-mail services.
(d)Discuss reasons why the uptake of IT systems has been greater in small general practices than in large hospitals.
Because there are more patients in large hospitals, more equipment will be needed. However, because some equipment is very expensive, such as surgery performing robots, only few are affordable. This means that not all patients can use the IT systems. If this is the case, it is better not to use the money on expensive IT systems, but on something else.
Large hospitals have more specialized doctors than general practices. Therefore, it can be more reasonable for general practices to get some help of IT systems so that the lack of workers/doctors can be fulfilled.
Large hospitals have many patients. To use IT systems, patients and doctors need training before using them. However, the number of people is too great. A thorough training may be too complex. This could be the reason why general practices are using IT systems more than large hospitals. General practices can go through training people more rapidly with small number of people.